Babka Bites

KosherEye.com

By Paula Shoyer

As the chocolate babka maven - a version appears in every book I write - I decided to jump on the mini dessert craze and create a one-bite mini chocolate babka. Although my hope was that I would eat less babka, the plan did not work out so well. I find that I keep eating these cute desserts. They are best warm out of the oven, but if baking ahead, make sure not to over-bake them. Bake for 17 to 18 minutes and if the outside is starting to brown, then take them out. The goo-ey-er the better.

Place warm water, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and let sit 10 minutes, until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Add the ¼ cup sugar, flour, salt, margarine, oil, egg and egg white. Combine with a wooden spoon or a dough hook in a stand mixer until all the ingredients are mixed in. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise 1 ½ hours.

Meanwhile, make the filling. Place the margarine into a medium or large bowl and beat until creamy. Add the cocoa and sugar and beat until combined. Cover with plastic and let sit at room temperature while the dough is rising.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place mini muffin papers into a 12- cup mini muffin pan. You will need to bake in batches.

Divide dough in half. On a large piece of parchment paper or other surface sprinkled with a little flour, roll each piece of dough into a 9 X 12 rectangle so that the 12-inch side is facing you. Sprinkle a little flour on the rolling pin if the dough starts to stick to it. Use a silicone spatula to spread ½ of the chocolate filling all the way to the edges. Sprinkle ½ of the chocolate chips all over the chocolate filling and roll up tightly the long way. Cut into ½-inch slices and place one into each of the muffin cups, cut side up. You will have about 24 slices.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Repeat for the other dough. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store covered at room temperature for up to four days or freeze for up to three months.Makes 46- 48 bites